Courses
By Swati Singh
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Updated on 22 May 2025, 13:06 IST
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the CUET exam once a year, offering students a chance to gain admission to some of India's most prestigious universities. With thousands competing for a limited number of seats, a well-planned and time-efficient preparation strategy is essential. CUET 2025 is scheduled to take place from May 13 to June 3. Aspirants from across the country look forward to this opportunity to secure admission to top colleges and turn their academic goals into reality. Whether you're targeting a high score or trying to balance your board exams alongside CUET prep, this guide provides practical tips and expert advice to help you succeed.
CUET 2025, scheduled from May 13 to June 3, opens doors to India’s top universities. With lakhs of students competing, a smart and structured plan is essential.
| Section | Content | Number of Questions | Question Type | Duration |
| Section I (IA & IB) | Language Test (13 languages in IA, 20 languages in IB) | 40 out of 50 | MCQ based on Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar | 45 minutes per language |
| Section II | Domain-Specific Subjects (up to 6 subjects) | 40 out of 50 | MCQ based on Class 12 NCERT syllabus | 45 minutes per subject |
| Section III | General Test (if applicable for some universities) | 60 out of 75 | MCQ on General Knowledge, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, Current Affairs | 60 minutes |
The CUET 2025 exam demands a focused approach tailored to each subject. Here's how to prepare efficiently for every section of the exam:
Includes: English, Hindi, and 20+ regional languages
Preparation Tips:
Includes: Subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, History, Political Science, Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, etc.
Preparation Tips:
Example Tips by Subject:
(Only for universities that require it)
Includes: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude
Preparation Tips:
Many students will also appear for board exams alongside CUET. Here’s how to balance both:
| Section | Subjects | Recommended Books |
| Language Test (Section I) | English | - High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin - Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) - Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis - CUET English Language Practice Book by Arihant Experts |
| Other Languages | - NCERT Class 12 Language Books - Previous Year CUET Language Papers | |
| Domain Subjects (Section II) | Physics | - NCERT Physics Class 11 & 12 - Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma - CUET Physics Guide by Arihant Experts |
| Chemistry | - NCERT Chemistry Class 11 & 12 - Modern’s ABC Chemistry - Practice Book for CUET Chemistry by Arihant | |
| Biology | - NCERT Biology Class 11 & 12 - Trueman’s Biology - CUET Biology Practice Book by MTG or Arihant | |
| Mathematics | - NCERT Mathematics Class 11 & 12 - R.D. Sharma Objective Mathematics - CUET Maths Practice Book by Arihant Experts | |
| Commerce | - NCERT Commerce Textbooks - T.S. Grewal for Accountancy - Sandeep Garg for Economics - CUET Commerce Practice Sets by Arihant | |
| Humanities | - NCERT Class 12 History, Political Science, etc. - Oswal CUET Arts Series - Arihant CUET Guide for Arts Stream | |
| General Test (Section III) | Reasoning, Aptitude, GK | - Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal - Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal - Lucent’s General Knowledge - Manorama Yearbook - CUET General Test Guide by Arihant Experts |
If you’re a dropper targeting CUET 2026, you have a golden opportunity — no board exam pressure, more time for revision, and full focus on maximizing your score. Here's how to make the most of it:
1. Set a Clear Goal with Your Target University: Know which course and university you want to get into. Check their CUET subject requirements and previous year cutoffs to streamline your strategy.
2. Understand the Latest CUET Exam Pattern
CUET 2026 consists of:
Know the question structure, marking scheme, and exam duration.
3. Stick to NCERT Books First: Use NCERT Class 12 books as the base for all domain subjects. Once clear, move on to practice guides and reference materials.
4. Build a Daily Study Timetable: Create a routine with 6–8 hours of focused study daily, including time for revision, mock tests, and rest breaks.
5. Take Weekly Mock Tests: Simulate exam conditions every week. Track scores, analyze mistakes, and join national-level mock test series.
6. Focus on High-Weightage Topics: Identify high-scoring chapters from past papers and revise them frequently. Maintain a notebook of key formulas and facts.
7. Master the Language Section: Practice reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. Read editorials and solve unseen passage questions regularly.
8. Strengthen General Test (if applicable): If your preferred university requires Section III, practice quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and current affairs regularly.
9. Avoid Common Dropper Mistakes
10. Stay Motivated and Track Progress: Use weekly planners to track study goals. Watch topper interviews and stay connected with mentors. Stay consistent and believe in your journey.
Begin by understanding the CUET exam pattern and syllabus from the official NTA website. Choose your target university and subjects wisely, and build a study timetable that balances conceptual learning, practice, and revision.
Focus on NCERT textbooks for domain subjects, practice mock tests regularly, and revise high-weightage topics often. Analyze your test results to improve weak areas and maintain consistent study habits.
Aim for 4–6 focused hours per day, depending on your routine and subject count. Consistency and quality matter more than the number of hours.
CUET is competitive but manageable with smart preparation. Since the syllabus is based on NCERT and school-level topics, regular study and practice are enough to score well.
Domain Subjects: NCERT Class 12 books, Arihant CUET guides
English: Wren & Martin, S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
General Test: R.S. Aggarwal (Reasoning & Quant), Lucent’s GK
Choose books based on your stream and subjects.
Start by collecting the right resources (NCERT, PYQs, practice books). Create a study plan, use online lectures and mock tests, and track your progress weekly. Join free CUET prep groups for peer learning.
You should study:
Language (English/Hindi/Regional)
1–6 Domain-specific subjects (as per your chosen course)
General Test (only if required by the university/course)
Check your target college’s CUET requirements before finalizing subjects.
Yes, for most domain subjects, NCERT Class 12 textbooks are sufficient. However, supplement with MCQ practice books, sample papers, and mock tests for better results.
Use short notes, formula sheets, mind maps, and weekly mock tests. Revise high-weightage topics and solve previous year papers under timed conditions.